Attachment-plug or the like.



J. C. SMITH. ATTAOBMBNT. PLUG 0B THEMES. QPLIOATIM'HLBD Mue, 1911.

- Patented Dec. 24,619i2.

' -2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

characters indicate like or corresponding,

JoIINdsIvIITH, or oAK PARK,

.@I'nrAoIniIEiv'I2-PLUG`r or. THE LIKE.

Specification of Letters liatent. v ]?2|,fej|f1`tedu Dec.

Application le'd March 29, 1911. Serial N o. 617,726.

To all 'uizm it may concern:

Be it known .that I, JOHN C. SMITH, a

citizen of the United. States, residing at- Oak Park, in the county of Cook and'. State of Illinois, have invented certain new and .useful Improvements in Attachment-Plugs or the Like, of which the following is a des'cription.

'My invention belongs to that` general class of devices known'as attachmentplugs, and relates particularly to an attachment plug, or attachment, for inserting in av suitable socket or outlet, and electrically connecting velectrical conductors.

My invention has among-its objects the production of a simple, convenient, durable, eiiicient and satisfactory plugof thekind described, of a minimum of parts, which may be manufactured at comparatively small cost.

y To this end my invention consists in the novel construction, arrangement and combination` of parts herein shown and described, and more particularly pointed outin the claims. u

`In the drawings, wherein likeV reference parts, Figurek 1 is a side elevation of one form-of my plug. Fig. 2- is a cross sectional view of the same, taken substantially on line 2,2 of Fig. 1. Fig. 8 is a` longitudinal sectional view of the saine, taken substantiallyrjon line 3, 3 of Fig.` 2. Fig. 4 is a cross sectional view of the same, taken substantially on line 4,4 of Fig. 3.` Fig. 5 is a top" elevation of t-he device with the cap removed. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view of anotherform of my device.l Fig. 7 is a top elevation of the same Withthe cap removed. Fig. 8 is a sectional view taken'v substantially on line 8, 8 of Fig. v6; Fig. 9 is a perspective view of one of the 'conducting partsof the same. Fig. 10 is a partial sectional view yof another form of `my device. Fig. lliis a perspective view of one of the conducting parts, forming part thereof, and Fig. l2 is a perspective view of another slightly modified formof conducting` part.

Referringtothe drawings, in which several .forms of my device are shown, the plug shown in. Figs. 1 to 5 comprises a body.

part l of suitable material, preferably insulating material, such as porcelain, hard rubber, composition, or any equivalent adapted for the purpose. The body part may be made of any shape or form, but is ILLINOIS, AssIGNon or 'ONE-HALF ro noianmn. RICE, or' CHICAGO, ILLINOIS. y I

preferably madeu substantially cylindrical f and provided with an extended part 2' at one end lformed integral-therewith, 'the extendedpart being of reduced cross sectional .area relative the body, -so as `to .form a shoulder'l at their juncture. The extended part may be of vany desired forrnin cross f section, as shown it is' substantially rectangular. The body part is also preferably pro- .,vided with a recess 5 at one side (see Fig.

. Ythe head 15 of the post 14 is substantially countersunk. The opposite end of the conductor 14 is preferably threaded so as to receive. a nut 17, or its equivalent, forming Figs. 3 and 5, the extended part 2 of the body is preferably further extended slightly as at 3 at one sideof the end, and recessed or cupped as at 4. Mounted'upon the body lis a conductor 9, the samebeing shown in Figs. 1 to 5 in the form of a shell, corrugated or otherwise constructed to form a thread, or its equivalent, so that the plug va binding post. As most .clearly shown in may be screwed into the well`known form of lamp socket, or wall outlet (not shown) or the like. The conductor may be constructed in any equivalent manner to engage the coperating part, as more fully'described hereafter. As shown, the shell 9 is provided with an internally extending fiange 10 ar'- ranged to seat upon the shoulder at theend of the body 1, the ange beingY provided with an opening through which the end 2 of the' body is extended. The flange 10 is preferably turned upas at 11 so as to form4 a lip or 11p-turned lug y(see Figs. 2, 3 and Any suitable means may be employed for securing a=conductor to the shell 9, a very simple construction comprising a screw 18 extended through the flange 10 proximate ranged to snugly nut 19 thereon. The screw 18 is so positioned on the flange 10 that the nut may be positioned in the recess 5 of the body part upon the shoulders 6, 6 with the screw 18 extending between' the shoulders. As is obvious, ifthe recess is properly proportioned, it will prevent the nut 19 from rotating when Athe screw is operated, and lthe screw may be removed, if desired, when the shell is in position, the nut being supported by the shoulders 6, 6. It will be noted re ferring to Fig. 2 that the extended body part 2 is irregular in shape, and formed so as to allow plenty of space for the screw 18, and while the flange and shell and body part are prevented from rotating relative to each other by the screw 18 and nut 19 engaging the sides of the recess-5, the irregular shape of the part 2 also prevents rotation ofthe parts relative to each other. By the word irregular I wish to be understood as meaning that the extension on the body part and the opening 12 in the flange are of suchY shape in cross section that the movement or rotation of the parts relative to each other, as mentioned, cannot take place.- It will also be noted that it is not necessary to form a thread on the porcelain body 1 to correspond with the thread of the shell 9. However, the body may be formed in any other desired form suitable Yfor the use to which the plug is designed. The body@ is provided with a cap 21 of suitable material arranged to be positioned over the integral extension 2 inclosing screw 18, the post 14 and nut 17. As shown, the ca is chainbered and art the extension 2, except at the top and on the side where the binding post or screw 18 is arranged. On this side it is provided with an offset chamber 24, in which the conductor to the screw 18 is arranged. Any suitable'means may be employed to secure the cap 21, which is preferablyI of insulating material, in position, as shown screws 23 are provided on each side of the cap for this purpose, which extend `through the cap and engage the extended part 2 of the body in recesses 7, 7 provided therein. The cap is also provided with an opening 22, through which the conducting wires and 26 may be extended. 'One of theconducting wires, as shown 26, is securedufnder t-he nut 17, thereby electrically connecting the same with the post 14 and with contact 16, while the other contact 25 is arranged in the offset recess 24 and secured to the shell 9 by the screw 18.V It desired, a knot 27 may be formed with the conductors so that they cannot be pulled out through the hole or opening 22 and oit from their binding posts; It may be noted that' the extension 3 on the extended body part 2 not only prevents the nut 17 from moving when in-use or when the post 14 is turned by a screw driver, or its equivalent, inserted in the slot so as to draw the nut down and secure the conductor to the post, but the extended4 part 3 also prevents the conductor 25 from coming into contact with the nut 17. If the plug or conductors are twisted relative to each other, there. is very little likelihood of the two conductors short circiiiting, owing to t-he complete insulation of the several parts and the difference in length of the ends of the conductors from the knot, the two contacts being not only offset laterally relative Vto each other, Vbut also longitudinally of the plug.

A slight-ly modifiedform lor construction .is shown in Fig. 6, in which 31 represents the body provided with similar extended parts 32 and 33. The cap 21 with the opening 22 and the means for securing the same in position are substantially the saine as the cap shown in the figures described. However, in this form of plug, instead of using a corrugated or threaded shell 9, the plate or flange 34 coire'sponding'to the flange 10 is provided with one or more conductors 36, adapted to extend along the side of the body, This plug is shown as adapted for use with the sockets which are extensively. vused in :foreign countries, in which instead provided with a groove or slot 38 for each," of the conductors 36, and it will be preferably noted by referring to the figures, that l preferably bow or form the conductors so that they are somewhat resilient. This gives a good contact within the socket and firmly secures the plug in place. It is, of course, obvious that the shell 9 shown in Fig. 1, may be made wit-hout the thread, and suitable pins similar to pinsA 37 provided, forming one part of a bayonet connection, but, of

, course, in this case the resiliency is not obtained as where the conductors 36 are formed' as shown. In this construction another slight modification is also shown, inwhich' yunder or over, as shown under, or flanged as at 39,.and thence turned or bent upwardly as at 40, to form the upturned lug. In this I plate or flange 44 with the' conductors 45 eX-v tending therefrom is modified somewhat.

'Referring' particularly to the figures, the

conductors 45, of which there may beany number, are provided with a thread sub-y stantially similar to the shellshown in Fig.l

3, and theconductors 45 inI this case are also provided with the bow so that they are resilient, and vthey maybe, if desired, extended substantially straight, as at 46, at their free'ends. With this construction the plug takes a iirm hold upon its socket. and

owing to the resiliency of the conductors 45,-

gives good cont-act between'them and the conductor wit-hin the socket.

The construction comprising the vflanges and conductors 49, 52 .shown in Fig. 12, is applicable on any of thelbody parts shown in the drawings, and is substantially a combination of the conducting shell and flange shown in Fig. 3, and the conductors and flanges shown in Fig. Gor 10. l Referring to this ligure, the flange 49 is provided withconductors-52 extending therefrom, which may be connected at their free ends Vby the ring 53. In this case the conductors 52 are also preferably bowed or given some resiliency.

tibn or engagementv between the two.may

be had, depending upon the resiliency of the conductors. However, in most cases it is probably advisable to form the conductors with a thread, or provide the pins 37, or their equivalentsfor the purpose, .so that the' plug and socket may be substantially locked together and require more than a pull to separate them.

It will be seen that the plugcomprises but afew parts, and that it may be easily assembled or disassembled. To assemble,

.assuming that the post is in the body part and the screw 18 on the shell or flange, the conductors are positioned with the extended body part extending through the opening in` the flange, by sliding the shell or flange down toward the contact end, or contact 16 on the body, until it reaches'tlie shoulderin ,Y

the body. The contacting wires may then It will be particularly noted'that `the bodyy be secured in place and the cap then moved down and locked into position bythe screws 23, or their equivalents. Locking the cap in position also locks the conductors `vcarried by the flange at the shoulder, the saine being between the cap and body, and the plug is ready for use. It is impossible to remove the shell without removing the cap, and it will be particularly noted that it-is impossible to withdraw the plug 'and leave the shell or the conductors in-the socket or outlet. This ywill be particularly appreciated by any one who has endeavored to remove a plug and found that the. shell or conductors had been pulled loose and remain in the socket, or that the shell liasdropped off and been lost. The upturned lug 1l, affords a better Contact at the screw 18 and tends to preventthe conductor from becoming detached. Vith the preferred forms of the device shown in the drawings, there is small danger of short circuiting, and consequently less danger of injury to apparatus or to the user.

The clieapness or economy in manufacturing owing to the simplicity of the device is obvious, and particularlyappeals to all familiar with attachment plugs, there being practically but three parts in addition to the post or conductor 14 and the binding screw 18, viz.: the body l, the flange and its conducto-rs, as .illustrated in any of the forms shown, or their equivalents, and the cap 21. Having thus described my invention, it 1s obvious that various immaterial modifications may be made in the saine-without de parting from the spirit of my invention, hence I do not wish to be understood as lim iting myself to the exact construction, arrangement or combination of parts herein shown and described, or uses mentioned.

VVhatI claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is.:- y

l. In an attachment plug, the combination of a body part of insulating material having a shoulder thereabout,' a plate of suitable conducting material having an opening therethrough, said plate positioned on said bodyrat said shoulder and extended along the body from said shoulder, said body part provided with a part corresponding' in contour to said plate opening and extended therethrough.

2. In an attachment plug, the combination of a body part of insulating material having anextended part and a shoulder thereahout, a'plate' of suitable conducting material having an opening therethrough coi-responding in contour to said extending body part. said plate positioned on said body at said shoulder with the body part extending therethrough `and closely fit-ting therewith,l .said

plateextendedalong the body from said shoulder, a cap of insulating material and means for securing said cap to the body.

3. In an attachment plug, the combination of'a body part of insulating material having a shoulder thereabout, a plat-e of suitable conducting material having an opening therethrmigh, said plate positioned on said body at said shoulder with the body part extending therethrough, said plate formed with a plurality of conductors extending theretronl, said conductors connected at their opposite ends, a cap of' insulating material, and means for secu-ring said cap in position.

l. l 11 an attachment plug, the combination of a body part having an extension thererom at one end of reduced cross sectional area. forming a shoulder, a conductor having an extended flange with an opening therethrough, said conductor positioned along the side of the body with its flange on said shoulder, said body part extension extending through and closely fitting said flange opening. said conductor provided with means for engaging a suitable cooperating socket, and a conductor arranged at the end of said body part and extending therethrough from end to end.

A body of insulating material provided with a shoulder thereabout,.a metallic shell arranged about a portion of said body and extending over said shoulder, said body extending through and closely fitting the extended parts of said shell, a removable cap .of insulating material, means` for securing said cap on the body with the extended part of said -she! l tbert-tl'ietween, a Contact arranged at the end of the body surrounded by said shell and extending' to the opposite end of the body, and means for securing conductors to the shell and to said contact.

6. An attachment plug of the kindl described including a body part o insulating u'iaterial, a threaded metallicshell arranged about said body and flanged overone end and provided with an opening through said flange, said body extended through and closely fitting said opening, a cap and means Afor securing said cap on the body with the extended part of said shell therebetween.

'7. An attachment plug including a body oit insulating material, a threaded metallic shell arranged about said body, said shell provided with means for engaging a4 suit- .able tamper-ating part flanged over one end of the body and provided with an opening therethrough, said body having an integral part extended through and closely fitting the opening in said flange, a removable -cap .ot' insulating material arranged over said extended body end and removably secured thereto with the said shell tlange positioned between thel body and cap.

S. An attachn'iei'it plug including a cylindrical body ot' insulating material, a threaded metallic shell arranged about said body and flanged over one end of the body with an opening therethrough, said body provided with an integral extending part, of

curing a conductor to the'iiange on said shell, a chambered cap arranged to be positioned on said extended body part, and means for securing said cap to the extended part of the body.

9. An attachment plug including a cylindrical body of insulating material, a threaded metallic 'shell arranged about said body and hanged over one end of the body with an opening theretlirough,said body provided with an integral extending part, of reduced cross sectional area relative to the body, extending through the opening in said shell, said shell flange having an upturned lug along said extending body part, a post of conducting material extending through said body and its extension, and means for securing a conductor to the end of said post at said extension, means for securing a conductor to the flange on said shell, a cliambered cap arranged to. be positioned on said extended body part with said fiange therebetween, and means for securing said cap to the extended part of the body."

lO. In av device of the kind described and in combination, a body part of insulating material having an extended part at one end formed integral therewith, with a shoulder at their juncture, a shell of suitable material arranged on said body part, said shell having an internally turned flange at said shoulder, a conductor extending through the body-part Jfrom end to end, means for securing the conductors to said shell and to said first mentioned conductor, a cap arranged over said extended end and abutting on said shoulder with said shell flange therebetween, and means for removably securing said cap to said body part extension.

l1. In a. device of the kind described and in combination, a cylindrical body part of insulating material, having an extended part of reduced cross sectional area at one end formed integral. therewith with a shoulder at their juncture, a threaded shell of suitable material arranged on said body part, said shell having'an internally turned flange at said shoulder, a post of suitable material extending through the body part .trom end to end, means for securing conductors to said post and said shell, a chambercd cap arranged over said extended body end and abutting against said shoulder with the flange of said shell therebetween, and means at the side of said cap for removably securing the said cap to said body part extension.

l2. A plug comprising a shouldered body l said shell and said contact-,a hambered eap of insulating material provided with an opening therethrough Aat one end arranged on said extendedbody part, and means for 1 removably securing said cap to the sides of said extended part with said shell flange between the cap and body.

13. A plug comprising a body part of in-y sulating material, a shell of' suitable material having an internally extending fiange at one end, said shell formed with a thread thereabout and provided with an opening through the flange at said end, said body part provided with an integral extension Copies of this patent may be' o btainedfer therefrom extending through andy closely fitting said flange opening, said extension and opening Corresponding in Contour and irregular in shape whereby the' body part and shell are noirrotatable relative to each other.

14. A Contact member of suitable mate-A rial, a cap provided with a chamber therein corresponding substantially in contour with said extension, but provided with anA oifset'ehamber at one side and with a chamber above said extension, means for seeur. ing said cap in position on the body with said flange therebetween, and means for se- -euri-ngconductors to said shell, andcontaet within the chambers in said Cap.

In 4testimony whereof, I have hereunto signed my name in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

JOHN C. SMITH.

lVitnesses t ROY IV. HILL, CHARLES I. COBB.

ve cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. G. 

